A paper shredder can get rid of all the unwanted documents in a flash. It protects you from becoming a victim of identity theft. No matter what kind of paper shredders you use in the office or home, maintenance is necessary to prevent paper jams. Also, with proper cleaning and maintenance, the longevity of a paper shredder increases.
Not many people know the correct way to clean a paper shredder. This article will discuss the steps that you need to follow for the proper cleaning of the shredder.
Step 1 – disassemble the shredder
Make sure that the shredder’s power is off and start to disassemble it. Start by removing the shredding head from the wastebasket. This depends on the type of model you are using.
Always check the instruction manual for removing the parts safely. If you are struggling to remove some parts of the device, don’t use force. You can end up breaking the shredder if you mishandle it.
Make sure to secure the cutting section before you start the process. The general practice to clean a paper shredder is once a month depending on its usage.
Step 2 – clean the shredder blades
After you have safely disassembled the paper shredder, you need to clean the shredder blades. For removing the particles from the blades, you can use pliers or a tweezer. After that, use compressed air to blow away the dust particles from the blades. Once you remove any visible dust particles, you have to use a cleaning solution.
Then take a clean cloth to wipe the residue of the cleaning solution and leave the blades to dry. You can also use cotton swabs to clean sharp areas.
Step 3 – lubrication of the blades
Make sure to lubricate the blades every time you empty the basket. This can expand the use of the device. Sometimes, vegetable oil can be used as a lubricant. But don’t use canola oil because of its rancid nature.
Don’t apply excess lubricants in the blades. Apply as per instructions given in the manual.
The process of cleaning the paper shredder is now complete. Just run some pieces of paper to remove any residual oil present in the blades.
Extra maintenance tips
In addition to cleaning the paper shredder at home or office, there are few things you can do to prolong its life. For emptying a wastebasket, try to keep a schedule. This is because paper baskets require cleaning at least once a week or month, and sometimes you need to do it daily. This can prevent paper jams from occurring and gives enough space for the shreds in the bin.
Try to use the device in reverse occasionally. This can prevent the blades from filling up with paper.
The bottom line
Owing a paper shredder is great for the protection of your sensitive data. As with any device, a paper shredder also needs to have cleaning and maintenance done regularly. With a good routine of cleaning, you can increase the life expectancy of a paper shredder.